1.Depress the brake pedal to release the parking brake and let the pedal up.
2.Move the throttle lever into the FAST (rabbit) position.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT use the drive pedal to change the direction of travel when the tractor is in motion. Always bring the tractor to a complete stop before pivoting the drive pedal from forward to reverse or vice versa.
3.To travel FORWARD, slowly depress the upper portion of the drive pedal forward until the desired speed is achieved.
4.To travel in REVERSE, check that the area behind is clear then slowly depress the lower portion of the drive pedal with the ball of your foot (NOT your heel) until the desired speed is achieved.
Driving On Slopes
Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE in the Important Safe Operations Practices section of this manual to help determine slopes where you may operate the tractor safely.
WARNING: Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately
•Mow up and down slopes, NEVER across.
•Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
•Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
•Avoid turns when driving on a slope. If a turn must be made, turn down the slope. Turning up a slope greatly increases the chance of a roll over.
•Avoid stopping when driving up a slope. If it is necessary to stop while driving up a slope, start up smoothly and carefully to reduce the possibility of flipping the tractor over backward.
Setting The Cruise Control
NOTE: The cruise control feature should only be utilized while traveling in the forward direction.
•Slowly press the upper portion of the drive pedal until the desired speed is achieved.
•Lightly press the cruise control lever.
•While continuing to hold the cruise lever down, lift your foot from the drive pedal (you should feel the cruise latch engage).
•Once engaged, the cruise control lever and the drive pedal will lock in the “down” position, and the tractor will maintain the same forward speed.
NOTE: Cruise control can not be engaged at the tractor’s fastest ground speed. If the operator should attempt to do so, the tractor will automatically decelerate to the fastest optimal mowing ground speed.
Disengage the cruise control using one of the following methods:
1.Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise control and stop the tractor.
2.Lightly depress the drive pedal.
To change the direction of travel to reverse when operating with cruise control, depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise control and bring the tractor to a complete stop. Then slowly depress the rear portion of the drive pedal with the ball of your foot to travel in reverse.
Engaging the Blades
Engaging the PTO (Blade Engage) transfers power to the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments. To engage the blades, proceed as follows:
1.Move the throttle control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position.
Models with Manual PTO
2.a. Grasp the PTO (Blade Engage) lever and pivot it all the way forward into the engaged (ON) position.
Models with Electric PTO
b. Pull the PTO (Blade Engage) knob outward into the engaged (ON) position.
3.Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position for the most efficient use of the cutting deck or other (separately available) attachments
IMPORTANT: The engine (on models with a manual PTO) or electric PTO clutch (on models with an electric PTO) will automatically shut off if the PTO is engaged with the drive pedal in position for reverse travel with the ignition key in the NORMAL MOWING position. Refer to Safety Interlock Switches earlier in this section.
Using the Deck Lift Lever
To raise the cutting deck, move the deck lift lever to the left, then place it in the notch best suited for your application. Refer to Setting The Cutting Height earlier in this section.
Mowing
WARNING: To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine
while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
The following information will be helpful when using the cutting deck with your tractor:
WARNING: Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of materials toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction which may cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator.
•Do not mow at high ground speed, especially if a mulch kit or grass collector is installed.
•For best results it is recommended that the first two laps be cut with the discharge thrown towards the center. After the
18Section 5— Operation